New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-08
TIE LATEST BRIDGE SCHEME.

The Commission created by act OF the Legs
lature to inquire into the need and practical
blity of bridge across the East River be-
tween a point in the vicinity of Grand ST.
New.York, and the Eastern District OF Brook
lyn, ought to have little difficulty in making
ND It's mind on some matters at least The
Commission Is composed Of the Mayors, Con-
trollers and Corporation Counsels Of the two
cities, together with the City Works CON-
missioner Of Brooklyn.
As to the desrability of moro bridges across
the East River there can be little doubt. The
practical results of the bridge which has been
in operation for nearly four years have been
such as to justify the hope that in some far
off day New York and Brooklyn may be linked
together by a series Of bridges, and travel by
ferry boats be almost wholly dispensed with.
But the experience through which the two
cities passed while the construction OF the
New-York and Brooklyn Bridge was going on
does not tend to make them eager to engage
in another such enterprise. Tho cost OF the
Bridge was enormous Like all public works.
or almost all, the outlay vastly exceeded the
estimates, and the Legislature had to be ap-
pealed to repeatedly for further appropriations
That the structure can ever pay for itself Is
out of the question. If it shall in few years
nav the interest on its bonds the taxpayers
will have reason for rejoicing. So far its man
agement as public work hos not been marked
by any approach to economy, the expenditures
eating up lions share of the reasonably large
receipts. No, the Bridge as an Investment
has not proved a wel-paying one for the cities
which poured out fifteen millions to erect it's
&c oh
If built at all, the next bridge across the
East River should be bnih by private enter
prise. A company with adequate financial
backing ought to have little difficulty In Sc
curing a charter. The bridge now proposed
is one that will benefit in the main only the
Eastern District of Brooklyn. The advantage
which New.York and Brooklyn as whole will
gain from it is small If. however. Brooklyn
wishes to 90 into the bridge building business
again, we on this side of the river can hardly
raise an objection. All we want in the matter
is not TO be asked to pay any Of the bills. III
Brooklyn feels the necessity Of having another
bridge, let that city pay for it out OF Its own
pocket But if bridge is TO earn reasonable
| income it must be put up by private company.
| As for the effect Of the Eastern District
plan on the Blackwell's Island Bridge, 1T Is
clear that the later scheme should by no means
he allowed to interfere with the earlier. There
need be no conflict between the two undertake
ings. Each would be useful in a different way
from the other. The main purpose OF the
Blackwell's Island Bridge is TO bring Long
Island into direct railroad connection with the
rest of the country. The other bridge. if ever
built, would be supported by local travel. With
an elevated road running to the foot OF Broad
way Brooklyn) such bridge might provo
profitable But New-York has no desire or
purpose to contribute even cent toward build
ipO IL